Cantave, a manager at his parents’ Brockton auto shop, had a small claims action filed against him by Mario and Kenya Burns. The couple accused Cantave of selling them a faulty engine.

As Cantave walked from the courthouse, Mario Burns pointed him out to Evans, who accompanied the couple to the hearing.

When Cantave reached his car that was parked in a lot behind a church about a block from the courthouse, he was approached by Evans and shot. Evans then jumped into Burns’ car and fled with the couple.